Method of brewing a beverage substance within a brewer filter support

ABSTRACT

A method of brewing a beverage substance within a beverage brewing filter structure. The beverage brewing filter structure is designed to create a consistent bed depth and a plurality of wicking points in order to give a more even extraction of the beverage brewing substance and a better taste profile over other standard filter structures. A charge of brewing substance is placed within a brewing filter, which is then placed either directly in an integral beverage brewing filter structure or in a nestable frame, which is placed within the beverage brewing filter structure.  
     The beverage brewing filter structure includes a base and a wall, which extends from the base to a top rim and defines a generally annular mouth and lip of the funnel, and is placed within a brewing machine. Water within the brewing machine is accumulated and sprayed into the beverage brewing filter structure and over the charge of brewing substance, creating a liquid brew. The liquid brew gravitates toward a plurality of wicking points, proximate to a drainage hole, ultimately draining through the beverage brewing filter support structure&#39;s drainage hole and into a carafe positioned below.

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application is a Division of application Ser. No.09/395,245, filed Sep. 13, 1999, and titled “Brewer Filter Support.”

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a method of brewing a beveragesubstance with a beverage brewing filter structure for retaining abrewing substance or a combination of a filter and a brewing substancefor infusion with heated water to produce a liquid brewed beverage.

[0003] Many beverage brewing filter structures define a frame to supportand separate a disposable brewing filter containing a portion of brewingsubstance disposed therein from internal walls of a beverage brewingfunnel. These beverage brewing filter structures must retain the brewingfilter and brewing substance so as to space them away from the funnelwalls to define a passage therebetween, thereby permitting the liquidbrewed beverage to drain from the brewing filter, into the passage andthrough an aperture formed in the bottom of the funnel. Other beveragebrewing filter structures are also formed where the filter structuresand the brewing funnels are one in the same.

[0004] Typically, filter structures are formed to fit the shape ofbrewing funnels and to support most mass-produced brewing filters (i.e.,disposable paper filters). Such filter structures generally have a basewith walls protruding from the base at an obtuse angle, forming anopening with a larger diameter than that of the base. Thus, when thebrewing substance is situated within the brewing filter, the brewingfilter generally conforms to the shape of the filter structure. Thisdesign, however, does not optimize extraction of the brewing substancebecause when the hot water infuses the brewing substance, the brewingsubstance directly above the base becomes spent very quickly whereas thebrewing substance proximally located along the angled walls is hardlyspent at all. Thus, not all of the brewing substance is infusedsubstantially the same amount, potentially leaving as uneven extractionof the brewing substance.

[0005] Also, most filter structures have a base that is angled downwardso that all the liquid brew flows toward a center point of a brewingfilter that is rested in the filter structure. The liquid brew thendrains from the brewing filter at this center point into the brewingfunnel. This single drainage point design, however, causes the brewingsubstance near the center point to be thoroughly saturated and perhapsover infused, thus potentially creating additional uneven extraction ofthe brewing substance and making for a bitter flavor in the brewedliquid.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method forbrewing a beverage within a brewing filter structure with an increasedbed depth in order to give a more efficient and consistent extraction ofthe beverage brewing substance during the infusion process, as well as abetter taste profile over other standard filter supports.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodfor brewing a beverage within a brewing filter structure which has aplurality of wicking points through which the brew may drip, drain orflow in order to provide a better taste profile over other standardfilter supports, as well as a more even extraction of the brewingsubstance.

[0008] Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the firstembodiment of the present invention provides a novel beverage brewingfilter structure used to retain a brewing filter or, including areusable filter material attached thereto, and to retain a beveragebrewing substance. The structure generally includes a frame having abase, and a wall extending from the base to a top rim, thus defining agenerally annular mouth. The wall is made up of a plurality of ribs orother structure defining open spaces. The wall has a first angledportion that extends from the base and a second angled portion thatextends from the first angled portion to the top rim. The first angledportion of the ribs defines a smaller angle relative to the base thanthe second angled portion. The ribs of the wall extend radially inwardlyto define a base which is positioned in a plane and has a plurality ofgaps therethrough. Each rib conjoins to another rib at a center portionof the base to provide a plurality of wicking points. The ribs of thebase are supported by a bottom rim which is generally annular.

[0009] The second embodiment of the present invention provides abeverage brewing filter structure similar to that of the firstembodiment. The second embodiment differs in that the first angledportion of the ribs defines a larger angle relative to the base than thesecond portion. In the second embodiment, the ribs also extend radiallyinwardly to define the base. The base, however, is not positioned in aplane, rather the ribs extend upward toward the mouth.

[0010] The third embodiment of the present invention combines a beveragebrewing filter structure and a brewing funnel into one structure. Thethird embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the walls andthe base are continuous as the filter structure also acts as the brewingfunnel. The structure also has flanges which act similar to the ribs ofthe base in that they are positioned in a plane and provide a pluralityof gaps therethrough, thereby providing multiple wicking points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The features of the present invention which are believed to benovel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theorganization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identifylike elements in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a beverage brewingfunnel showing a filter structure of the first embodiment nestableinside of the brewing funnel and a handle attachable to the outside ofthe brewing funnel;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a partial fragmentary side view of the beverage brewingfunnel in which a portion of a side wall of the funnel and acorresponding portion of the filter structure of the first embodimentand brewing filter disposed inside of the funnel have been removed; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first embodimentof the filter structure.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of thefilter structure.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a partial fragmentary perspective cross-sectional viewof the third embodiment of the filter structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment indifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that thepresent disclosures are to be considered exemplifications of theprinciples of the invention, and are not intended to limit the inventionto those as illustrated. Like elements are denoted with like referencenumerals with the first embodiment being in the one hundreds, the secondembodiment being in the two hundreds, and the third embodiment being inthe three hundreds.

[0018] A beverage brewing funnel 120 and a beverage brewing filterstructure 122 are shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1 to provide greaterdetail for reference to the elements thereof. In FIG. 2 the beveragebrewing funnel 120 and the beverage brewing filter structure 122 areshown in working fashion along with a brewing filter 124 and a beveragebrewing substance 126.

[0019] The brewing funnel 120 has a generally frustoconical shape with atop opening 128 which is defined by an annular lip 130, and a drainaperture 132 formed in a bottom surface 134 thereof. A sidewall 136generally continuously extends around the brewing funnel 120 between theannular lip 130 and the bottom surface 134. A slot 138 and a hole (notshown) are formed through the sidewalls 136 of the brewing funnel 120.An annular groove 142 is formed along an inside surface 144 of thebrewing funnel 120. A handle 146 is also provided for on the outsidesurface 148 of the sidewall 136.

[0020] The beverage brewing filter structure 122 includes a frame 149defining a base 150 and a wall 152 extending from the base 150. The wall152 is formed from a plurality of ribs 154, or other structures definingopen spaces 155, that extend from the base 150 to a generally annulartop rim 156. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ribs 154 are defined by twoseparate sections, a first angled portion 158 and a second angledportion 160. The first angled portion 158 extends from the base 150 atan obtuse angle relative to the base 150. The second angled portion 160extends between the first angled portion 158 and the top rim 156 at agreater obtuse angle relative to the base 150 than the first angledportion 158. The first angled portion 158 creates a deep bed depth forthe beverage brewing substance 126 to rest in.

[0021] The base 150 of the beverage brewing filter structure 122 isformed from a plurality of ribs 161, the ribs 161 being naturalextensions of the ribs 154, or other structures defining open spaces155, that make up the wall 152, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The ribs 161extend radially inwardly toward a center portion 162 of the base 150.Each rib 161 conjoins with another rib 161 at the center portion 162 ofthe base 150 forming a wedge or finger 164. The center portion 162 isproximate to the drain aperture 132 that is formed in a bottom surface134 of the funnel 120. The base 150 defines a plurality of gaps 166. Thetip 168 of each finger 164 creates a wicking point 170 at the centerportion 162 of the base 150. A generally annular bottom rim 172 providesstability and support for the base 150. Each rib 161 of the base 150 isgenerally oriented in the same plane 174, except that the ribs 161 maybe at a slight angle between the first angled portion 158 and the bottomrim 172.

[0022] The brewing filter structure 122 also includes a compressiblefork 176 and a prong 178. The compressible fork 176 and the prong 178are respectively formed by an extension of the ribs 154. Thecompressible fork 176 and the prong 178 allow for the brewing filterstructure 122 to be engaged with the brewing funnel 120 by using themethod and apparatus disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 5,064,533,entitled “Funnel Basket Structure”, which is commonly owned by theassignee herein and which disclosure is herein incorporated byreference. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration of the brewingfilter structure 122 nestled into the brewing funnel 120 has a chasm 180between the filter structure 122 and the brewing funnel 120 to allowliquid brew to flow through the brewing filter 124 and along the bottomsurface 134 of the brewing funnel 120 toward the drain aperture 132.

[0023] In operation, the filter structure 122 is engaged with the funnel120 as described above. A brewing filter 124 may be placed into thebrewing filter structure 122 and a beverage brewing substance 126 ispoured into the filter 124. Alternatively, a reusable filter material,such as a metal mesh material, of known construction may be attached tothe structure in a known maimer. Such reusable filter defining openspace therein. Depending upon the amount of brewing substance 126desired to be used, the beverage brewing substance 126 is wholly orprimarily retained between the first angled portions 158 of the ribs 154of the walls 152, above the base 150.

[0024] The beverage brewing funnel 120 is then placed into a beveragebrewing machine (not shown). The annular lip 130 allows for the brewingfunnel 120 to be removably placed and supported within the brewingmachine. When the brewing funnel 120 is placed within a beverage brewingmachine and the machine is turned on, a spray of hot water enters thebrewing funnel 120 through the top opening 128. The hot water theninfuses with the beverage brewing substance 126, extracting variouscharacteristics from the brewing substance 126 to form a liquid brew.The first and second angled portions 158, 160 of the ribs 154 allow fora more even extraction from the brewing substance 126, by allowing theinfusion of the hot water with the brewing substance 126 to occur for alonger time period through more portions of the brewing substance 126.Other versions of filter supports do not allow for as even an extractionof the brewing substance because, first, the hot water does not infusewith as much of the brewing substance because the bed depth is moreshallow, and second, because bed depth is more shallow, the infusionprocess does not take as long. The more brewing substance that isinfused either by an increase in bed depth or by an increase in infusiontime, the more even the extraction will be. The more even the extractionof the brewing substance, the better the taste profile will be.

[0025] The liquid brew will then gravitate toward the center portion 162of the base 150 of the brewing filter structure 122. In significantportion, the liquid brew will begin to drain through the brewing filter124 at the many different wicking points 170 created by the brewingfilter structure 122. A multitude of wicking points 170 allow for themore even extraction of solid brewing substance 126 into liquid brewingsubstance 126, thereby improving the flavor of the liquid brew. Theliquid brew then drains out of the brewing funnel 120 through the drainaperture 132 into a liquid brew receptacle (not shown). Other versionsof filter structures have bases that angle toward the center of thestructure, causing the liquid brew to wick from a single center portion.This can result in an uneven extraction as all of the hot waternecessarily must go through the brewing substance toward the center ofthe structure. In this regard, the substance spaced away from the centerof the filter structure will be infused for a shorter period of timethan the brewing substance in the center of the structure. Thus, thebrewing substance in the center of the structure will most likely bethoroughly saturated and perhaps over infused, thus decreasing theflavor of the liquid brew.

[0026] Invariably, some of the liquid brew will not drain through thebrewing filter 124 at the wicking points 170, but will rather drainthrough the brewing filter 124 and through the gaps 166 provided in thebase 150 of the brewing filter structure 122. The chasm 180 provided forbetween the base 150 of the filter structure 122 and the bottom surface134 of the brewing funnel 120 allows for the liquid brew that hasdrained through the gaps 166 of the base 150 other than at the wickingpoints 170 to drain through the filter 124 and flow through the chasm180 toward the drain aperture 132, further preventing the saturation andover infusion of the brewing substance 126 situated at the centerportion 162 of the base 150.

[0027] The second embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 4, promotes the same operation and purpose as does the firstembodiment, although the structure is different. The second embodimentwill be described as though it were positioned within the brewing funnel120 of the first embodiment. The second embodiment includes a frame 249defining a base 250 and a wall 252 extending from the base 250. The wall252 is formed from a plurality of ribs 254, or other structures definingopen spaces 255, that extend from the base 250 to a generally annulartop rim 256. The ribs 254 are defined by two separate sections, a firstangled portion 258 and a second angled portion 260. The first angledportion 258 extends from the base 250 at an obtuse angle relative to thebase 250. The second angled portion 260 extends between the first angledportion 258 and the top rim 256 at a smaller obtuse angle relative tothe base 250 than the first angled portion 258. The first angled portion258 and the second angled portion 260 create a deep bed depth.

[0028] The base 250 of the beverage brewing filter structure 222 isformed from a plurality of ribs 261, the ribs 261 being naturalextensions of the ribs 254, or other structures defining open spaces255, that make up the wall 252, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The ribs 261extend radially inwardly toward a center portion 262 of the base 250.Each rib 261 conjoins with another rib 261 at the center portion 262 ofthe base 250 forming a wedge or finger 264. The center portion 262 isproximate to the drain aperture 132 that is formed in a bottom surface134 of the funnel 120. The base 250 defines a plurality of gaps 266. Thetip 268 of each finger 264 creates a wicking point 270 at the centerportion 262 of the base 250. A generally annular bottom rim 272 providesstability and support for the base 250. Each rib 261 of the base 250 isgenerally oriented at an angle so that the ribs 261 extend upward towardthe top rim 256 of the brewing filter structure 222.

[0029] The third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, also promotes thesame operation and purpose as does the first embodiment, although again,the structure is different. The third embodiment combines the brewingfilter structure 322 with the funnel 320 into one structure.

[0030] In the filter structure 322, the wall 352 also operates as asidewall 336 of the brewing funnel 320. The wall 352 is generallycontinuous, without open spaces. The wall 352 extends from a top rim356, which also operates as an annular lip 330 of the funnel 320, to thebase 350. The base 350 of the brewing filter structure 322 is formedfrom a plurality of flanges 382. The flanges 382 extend radiallyinwardly toward a center portion 362 of the base 350. The center portion362 is proximate to the drain aperture 332 that is formed in a bottomsurface 334 of the funnel 320. The base 350 defines a plurality of gaps366. The tip 384 of each flange 382 creates a wicking point 370 at thecenter portion 362 of the base 350. The bottom surface 334 of thebrewing funnel 320 provides stability and support for the base 350. Thetops 384 of the flanges 382 are generally oriented in the same plane,but the bottoms 386 of the flanges 382 are not. The bottoms 386 of theflanges 382 rest on the bottom surface 334 of the brewing funnel 320 andthus follow the same angle that the bottom surface 334 has from the wall352, or sidewall 336, to the drain aperture 332. Thus, the flanges 382are taller proximate to the drain aperture 332 than when proximate tothe wall 352 or sidewall 336.

1. A method of brewing a beverage substance within a beverage brewingfilter structure, said brewing filter structure having an integral baseand wall, said wall extending from said base defining a mouth, said basecomprising a plurality of flanges, each of said flanges having a topportion and generally extending from said wall towards a center portionof said base, creating a plurality of wicking points proximate to ahole, comprising the steps of: placing a brewing filter within saidbeverage brewing filter structure; placing a charge of brewing substancewithin said brewing filter; placing said beverage brewing filterstructure within a brewing machine; accumulating water within saidbrewing machine; spraying said water into said beverage brewing filterstructure and over said charge of brewing substance; infusing saidcharge of brewing substance with said water to form a liquid brew;gravitating said liquid brew toward said plurality of wicking points;and draining said liquid brew at said plurality of wicking pointsthrough said hole of said beverage brewing filter structure into acarafe positioned below said hole.
 2. A method of brewing a beveragesubstance within a beverage brewing filter structure as defined in claim1 , wherein said accumulated water is heated to a brewing temperaturebefore being sprayed into said beverage brewing filter structure andover said charge of brewing substance.
 3. A method of brewing a beveragesubstance within a beverage brewing filter structure as defined in claim1 , wherein said plurality of wicking points and said top portions ofsaid plurality of flanges generally lie in a common plane.
 4. A methodof brewing a beverage substance within a beverage brewing filterstructure as defined in claim 3 , wherein said common plane ishorizontal.
 5. A method of brewing a beverage substance within abeverage brewing filter structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein saidplurality of wicking points and said top portions of said plurality offlanges generally define a surface which is at least partially upwardlyconical.
 6. A method of brewing a beverage substance within a beveragebrewing filter structure, said beverage brewing filter structure havinga frame including a base, a wall extending from said base defining amouth, said base comprising a plurality of gaps therethrough and aplurality of ribs, each of said ribs having a top portion and generallyextending from said wall towards a center portion of said base, creatinga plurality of wicking points proximate to a hole, comprising the stepsof: placing a brewing filter within said frame of said beverage brewingfilter structure; placing a charge of brewing substance within saidbrewing filter; placing said frame of said beverage brewing filterstructure into said beverage brewing filter structure; placing saidbeverage brewing filter structure within a brewing machine; accumulatingwater within said brewing machine; spraying said water into said frameof said beverage brewing filter structure and over said charge ofbrewing substance; infusing said charge of brewing substance with saidwater to form a liquid brew; gravitating said liquid brew toward saidplurality of wicking points; said liquid brew filtering through saidplurality of gaps of said frame's base; said liquid brew gravitatingtoward said hole; and draining said liquid brew at said plurality ofwicking points through said hole of said beverage brewing filterstructure into a carafe positioned below said hole.
 7. A method ofbrewing a beverage substance within a beverage brewing filter structureas defined in claim 6 , wherein said accumulated water is heated to abrewing temperature before being sprayed into said frame of saidbeverage brewing filter structure and over said charge of brewingsubstance.
 8. A method of brewing a beverage substance within a beveragebrewing filter structure as defined in claim 6 , wherein said pluralityof wicking points and said top portions of said plurality of ribsgenerally lie in a common plane.
 9. A method of brewing a beveragesubstance within a beverage brewing filter structure as defined in claim8 , wherein said common plane is horizontal.
 10. A method of brewing abeverage substance within a beverage brewing filter structure as definedin claim 6 , wherein said plurality of wicking points and said topportions of said plurality of ribs generally define a surface which isat least partially upwardly conical.